Traveling for the Faith: Friday Five

Traveling Friday Five:
MotherLaura is a bishop and so she has to travel much of her ministry. She has come up with an interesting Friday Five.

So for today's Friday Five, you're invited to share your experiences with the exciting, challenging world of business travel....

1. Does your job ever call for travel? Is this a joy or a burden?

Seldom does the ministry call for travel. Parish ministry is about local travel. But as I travel 40 miles one way to the congregation, I could say that I travel regularly in my ministry. At present that travel is quite beautiful. We have had a long fall with the color on the trees lasting weeks rather than a mere few days. The drive is almost all interstate so it is fairly easy driving.

The few times I have had to travel for business have been interesting—a conference here, a funeral for far away friends. The travel is out of the ordinary and therefore maintains interest even with airline delays, or inclement weather.

2. How about that of your spouse or partner?

J’s and my life are fairly distinct so it is not unusual that we travel separately. But since we are both clergy, we often go to the same conferences or meetings. I enjoy time to bounce new things off her when we are together. A telephone call at night suffices when we are not traveling together. Time away apart allows the one at home to go out to dinner for their favorite food and to watch their favorite TV program, or just time to read.

3. What was the best business trip you ever took?

I think the trip to the 1985 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. I was newly ordained. J and I flew to TX and borrowed my brother’s camper van and we drove to Anaheim stopping at the Grand Canyon, Taos, and other SW tourist places along the way. We parlayed our vacations and the business meeting together. It was my first General Convention and that alone made it awesome.

4. ...and the worst, of course?

The worst was to a diocesan clergy conference. I wanted to tape the discussion because J couldn’t attend. The bishop took exception to my taping the discussion, got paranoid and accused me of all kinds of stuff. I tried to explain that I was trying to take something back to J. He wouldn’t listen and in front of the whole conference he “ordered me by virtue of my vows” to give him the tape. It was the end of my relationship with the diocese. He will not allow me to work in the diocese and bad mouths me to colleagues constantly.

5. What would make your next business trip perfect?

A real sense that I am doing what God has called me to do.